COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System has named Texas A&M Engineering’s Dr. Dara W. Childs a Regents Professor for his service to Texas A&M University, the A&M System and the state of Texas. The board honored recipients of the regents service awards at its monthly meeting Jan. 27 at Texas A&M. Childs is holder of the Leland T. Jordan Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M and director of the Turbomachinery Laboratory in the Texas Engineering Experiment Station. Childs’ research has changed the way engineers look at machinery, particularly in regard to the previously underappreciated impact of seals, impellers and other fluid-structure interaction forces. His research has made major contributions to the improvement of the analysis and design of vibration of rotating machinery. Today, the use of seals to favorably influence turbomachinery is common, but prior to Dr. Childs’ research in the mid-1970s, it was simply not done. Under his leadership, the Turbomachinery Laboratory has gained an international reputation, and the laboratory’s two major symposia are the meetings of choice for users and manufacturers of commercial turbomachinery. Childs is an innovative and dedicated teacher. The junior-level course he developed on dynamics and vibration is a major departure from past practices and has been remarkably effective in preparing students for careers in engineering. Childs has been a long-time contributor to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and has served on multiple advisory committees for NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy. He is the author of 87 journal publications, 13 papers in refereed conference transactions, two books, one book chapter and multiple conference papers. The regents service awards honor professors and senior-level researchers and service delivery professionals who have provided exemplary service not only to their university or agency but also to the community, the state, the nation and the world. Eligibility requires a minimum of five years employment at an A&M System university or agency; a distinguished record of public service, research, teaching and creative or scholarly activity; recognition within his or her field; and a demonstrated commitment to his or her institution. Each recipient is given a $9,000 monetary award, an A&M System medallion and a commemorative certificate.
